Shelving.



H. w. coiias'rocx.

SHELVING. APPLIoA'fIoN FILED APR. 9, 1911.

Patented Dec. 12,1911.

Min/66.66:

- LOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co..WA5HlNuTON. D. c.

HENRY W. GOMSTOCK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHELVING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 8, 1911.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

Serial No. 619,789.

building shelving of any height desired, with any desired spaces between the shelves, the frame for the shelves comprising pieces of pipe with connections or corner pieces adapted to join the pipe sections, the ar rangement being such that the pipe sections of any desired length may be used in order to vary the distance between the uprights or standards which support the shelves, and also to vary the distance between the shelves by the use of pipe sections of different lengths. The connecting pieces consist of blocks having arms projecting in various directions to engage the pipe sections, as

more fully explained hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a seat of corner or angular shelves, the wall and floor being illustrated in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are details in perspective, the former showing an intermediate connection, and the latter showing an end connection.

Referring specifically to the drawings, each of the standards which support the shelving comprises a base or socket piece 8, fixed to the floor, and a series of pipe sections 9. The respective standards are con nected by horizontal pipe sections 10, located between the standards, and additional pipe sections 11 extend from each front standard backwardly to similar standards at the back. The shelves 12 rest on the horizontal sections 10 and 11. The various pipe sections which make up the frame are united by connecting pieces, each of which consists of a block 13 having arms or stubs 14 projecting therefrom. For the intermediate standards, each block has five arms, two projecting vertically to fit in the upright pipe sections 9, two projecting horizontally to fit in the horizontal sections 10, and one projecting rearwardly, to su port the pipe section 11. These stubs may be of square or any other cross section, preferably square and should having a tight driving fit within the ends of the pipe sections. On the end block shown in Fig. 4, one horizontal stub is omitted.

In setting up the shelving the lower course of supports is first mounted on the case pieces, the pipe sections being united by the angular connections described, and the lower shelf is placed thereon. The shelves are preferably made of metal, and may be bent down at the front edge, over the pipe section 10. The sleeves have holes cut therein, through which the upwardly extending stubs 14 project. When the lowest shelf is built, others are added by the addition of the sec tions 9 and 10 and necessary connecting pieces. To vary the distance between shelves, the pipe sections 9 may be provided of various lengths.

The sheet metal shelves, provided with holes through which the stubs 14 project serve the purpose of holding the parts of the frame together. That is, they form a connection. between the front and rear connecting pieces, so that the horizontal sections 10 and 11 cannot pull off of the stubs but the standards are maintained in correct position with respect to each other, with the stubs engaging the various horizontal pipe sections with which they are connected. Therefore the shelving will have no bolts, screws or rivets, but nevertheless in consequence of the engagement of the sections with the other parts will be held in rigid relation, but nevertheless capable of being set up and taken down with facility. The stubs are preferably made square to allow for variation in the size of the stub casings and the inside diameter of the pipe sections, since they may then be driven in even if the stubs are slightly larger at the corners than the pipes. As the shelving is alike on both sides, it can be used in any location, as well as near a wall.

If desired the sheet metal shelving can be cut in lengths to extend from the end or corner to any of the intermediate supports, with a hole near each corner, in which case each succeeding sheet will overlap the other, but the best way is to have the sheet the full length of the shelving, with the holes at proper intervals to fit over the stubs.

The parts can be made in quantities and kept in stock, and shipped in knocked-down condition to the place where they are to be set up, and the erection of the shelving may then be done by unskilled persons.

The construction has obvious advantages of cheapness, as ordinary pipe may be used, for the standards and horizontal pieces.

The number and angles of the arms 14 may be varied according to local conditions. Thus, at a corner, as shown in Fig. 2, arms are provided on all six sides of the blocks 13; for shelving which is angular or segmental in shape, the directions in which the arms 14 extend will be varied accordingly.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Shelving comprising standards and horizontal members, each consisting of tubular sections, connecting pieces at the intersections of said sections, said pieces having studs fitting in the ends of said sections, and shelves resting on the horizontal members.

2. Shelving comprising vertical and horizontal members, each composed of separate sections, separate connecting pieces at the intersections of said members, engaging the ends of adjacent sections of said members, and shelves resting on said horizontal memhers.

8. Shelving comprising standards and horizontal members, each made of separate tubular sections, connecting pieces between said sections, each connecting piece consisting of a block between the ends of the adjacent sections and having studs fitting in said ends, and shelves resting on said horizontal members.

41. Shelving comprising standards made of a series of vertical sections having tubular ends and placed one above the other, horizontal sections between said standards and having tubular ends, blocks at the intersections of said vertical and horizontal sections, having studs fitting into the ends thereof, and shelves having holes through which some of the studs extend, said shelves resting on the blocks and the horizontal sections.

5. Shelving comprising standards and horizontal members, each consisting of tubular sections connecting pieces at the intersections of said sections, said pieces having projections fitting in the ends of said sections, and shelves resting on the horizontal members and having openings through which some of said projections extend.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY W. OOMSTOGK.

Witnesses D. D. BIVEM, C. M. THOM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

